Seems it still leaks,
Meluka’s Sales Performance Drives New
Probiotic Product Range in Collaboration with
Probiotics Australia
Meluka Australia, an Eve brand, has established a partnership with Probiotics Australia
to create a unique probiotic product range from Meluka beehives.
Highlights
• Strong sales performance of Meluka Australia Probiotics Concentrate drink drives
further expansion into the probiotics sector and the establishment of a partnership with
Probiotics Australia, Australia’s leading contractor for probiotic products and Australia’s
first and only cGMP/TGA certified facility for probiotic API manufacturing.
• Probiotics Australia has identified unique probiotic strains derived from Meluka’s
beehives.
• Eve/Meluka entered into an agreement with Probiotics Australia to collaborate on
developing a new exclusive range of probiotic products.
• Eve is now one of the few ASX listed companies with exposure to the probiotics market
estimated to be valued at USD 61.1 billion and projected to reach USD 91.1 billion by 2026.
EVE Investments (ASX:EVE, EVE or the Company), a vertically integrated health, nutrition and
wellness company, provides an update on a new partnership entered into by Meluka Australia
(“Meluka”.
Outstanding sales performance in probiotic sector
Meluka Australia has recorded a significant increase in the sales of its Probiotic Concentrate
beverage range. In Australia, over the past six months it has achieved a 175% increase in sales and
QoQ increase of 66%. In the US, it has recorded a six month increase in sales of 239% and QoQ of
212%. This significant growth is representative of the growth in the probiotics market
internationally and reflects the penetration of the Meluka brand across key markets. Meluka
continues to experience significant growth in new customer numbers as well as a high percentage
of return purchases from existing customers.
Strategic decision: New probiotic range in collaboration with Probiotics Australia
As a result of sales performance, EVE has taken a strategic decision to expand its range of probiotic
products incorporating prebiotics, probiotics and the newly emerging postbiotics. To expedite the
development of these new products, EVE has formalised a Collaboration Agreement with leading
Australian probiotics company, Probiotics Australia for the production of new unique probiotic
strains derived from Meluka’s beehives. Probiotics Australia has a TGA/cGMP certified facility
dedicated to producing high quality probiotic organisms and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
Under the Agreement, Meluka and Probiotics Australia have agreed to collaborate to identify and
produce new bacterial strains from Meluka beehives located on the EVE organic tea tree
properties in the Bungawalbin Valley in Northern New South Wales and will collaborate in
developing a range of products that incorporate the strains that are produced.
Meluka has provided samples of honey collected from its beehives which have been used in
Probiotics Australia's research and development. Probiotics Australia have identified several
bacterial strains from the honey samples. These are currently being isolated and characterised
using genetics and biochemical analytical methods in order to culture and develop them into
commercial quantities.
Potential consumer products utilising the probiotic strain are to be developed over the coming
months, with Meluka and Probiotics Australia to define the most suitable products for an initial
launch of a Meluka probiotic strain product.
The development of this new product range will contribute to establishing Meluka as a leading
Australian producer of probiotic products for both local and international markets.
Growth of the probiotics market
A heightened awareness of the importance of health and wellbeing will be a key driver for
continued growth in the domestic health and wellness market category, including probiotics. In
2020, seven out of ten people supported their health with a form of complementary medicine 1 .
The popularity of natural healthcare products continues to increase with a growth rate of seven
per cent year on year. 2
The Australian dietary supplements market size is expected to record a 3% current value CAGR to
reach sales of AUD2.1 billion in 2026. Consumer focus has shifted to taking a proactive approach
to support gut health, which is inextricably linked to overall immunity. This is a major factor
projected to drive demand for products that contain probiotics. Industry projections report that
interest in immune health is likely to increase post Covid-19, demonstrating substantial market
potential. 3
Interest in functional nutrition, such as probiotic fortified foods and beverages, has seen a boost
in popularity, which is expected to continue, as immunity building for overall wellbeing appeals to
the health-conscious consumer that has an increased awareness of the link between diet and
overall health.
In Australia, the domestic consumption opportunity for fortified and functional foods is expected
to reach $5.5 billion by 2030 and the export market opportunity expected to reach $4.2 billion 4 .
EVE Price at posting:
0.4¢ Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Held
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